Heart and vascular surgery
If your heart or blood vessels have been damaged — by conditions such as heart failure or congenital heart abnormalities — cardiovascular surgeons work to repair them. They may use traditional surgery or minimally invasive approaches, which can enable a faster recovery for you.
Cardiovascular specialists throughout Wasatch Front
Our heart doctors identify and diagnose heart diseases and conditions.
They provide both non-surgical and surgical treatments. When surgery is needed, we offer both open-heart and minimally invasive robot-assisted surgeries. In fact, several of our hospitals have pioneered state-of-the-art procedures that bring much needed, innovative solutions to patients with debilitating heart diseases.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties
Heart surgeries we offer
As part of our complete heart care services, some of the procedures we offer include:
Coronary angioplasty
In a coronary angioplasty, a medical balloon is inserted into the coronary artery, which pushes the plaque against the artery wall and improves blood flow to your heart.
Coronary artery bypass
If one or more of your coronary arteries are blocked, blood can’t flow to the heart muscle. In this case, a heart attack or chest pain (angina) may occur. Coronary artery bypass surgery creates a path for blood to flow around a blockage to reduce the risk of further heart damage and symptoms.
Using a heart-lung machine
Coronary artery bypass surgery can be done with the heart still beating (off a pump machine) or with the heart still (on a pump machine). Your surgery team can tell you more about which type of procedure you will have.
Coronary atherectomy
In a coronary atherectomy, a special device is used to grind away the plaque within the artery, improving blood flow to your heart.
Peripheral angioplasty
In a peripheral angioplasty, a medical balloon is inserted into the peripheral artery to improve blood flow to your lower body, legs and arms.
Renal angioplasty
As part of a renal angioplasty, a medical balloon is inserted into the renal artery to improve blood flow to your kidneys. Additionally, a metal mesh tube (a stent) may be inserted into the artery to help keep it open.
Other heart surgeries
We also offer the following heart surgeries and procedures:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Coronary stenting
- Coronary thrombectomy
- Endomyocardial biopsy
- Intra-aortic balloon pump
- Maze and mini-maze procedures for atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Pericardiocentesis
- Peripheral atherectomy
- Septal defect closure
- Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR)
- Valve repair/replacement, including valvuloplasty
If you have a question about why your doctor is using one technique instead of the other, do not be afraid to ask. Our cardiovascular surgeons and heart care specialists will do everything they can to ensure you are comfortable with your treatment plan.
Care after a heart procedure
Typically after a heart surgery, you’ll be taken to a recovery area. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how long to lie down and keep the surgical site still. Before going home, you may have other imaging exams or diagnostic lab tests. You will usually remain in the hospital for several hours or overnight.
In most cases, you will require rehabilitative care after your heart procedure. We provide this via cardiac rehab therapy, which helps reduce your recovery time and re-strengthen your heart muscle.
Vascular surgeries we offer
As part of our comprehensive vein care programs, our vascular surgeons and doctors offer many types of treatments and procedures, including:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair
AAA is a bulge in the portion of the aorta (a blood vessel) where it passes though the abdomen carrying blood to the abdominal organs, pelvis and legs. We surgically repair AAAs when the bulge grows too large or the aorta wall becomes too weak. In many cases, we offer minimally invasive procedures for this type of repair.
Carotid endarterectomy
Carotid endarterectomy is used to remove plaque from the carotid artery, which carries blood to the brain. We often perform this procedure to reduce the risk of having a stroke for patients who have had transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).
Femoropopliteal bypass surgery
Femoropopliteal bypass surgery is used to bypass a blocked artery in the leg, restoring proper blood flow to the lower leg and foot. Our surgeons use a vein from another part of the body, or an artificial vessel, to get around the blocked artery.
Varicose vein treatments
Varicose veins, "spider veins," and bulging veins caused by venous reflux disease (venous insufficiency) can be obtrusive or uncomfortable. That is why we offer two treatments for venous reflux disease and varicose veins:
Medical adhesive closure
The medical adhesive system improves blood flow by sealing — or closing — the diseased vein. The adhesive seals the vein, and blood is rerouted through nearby healthy veins.
By using an adhesive to close the vein rather than heat, the procedure only involves one injection of numbing medicine. Compression stockings are also not required after the adhesive procedure. By eliminating heat and compression stockings, patients treated with this system experience less pain and bruising and have faster recovery times.
Heat procedure closure
The heat procedure closure is a minimally invasive treatment involving a thin catheter inserted into the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to collapse and seal shut. This may be a good alternative for those who are not able to have the medical adhesive treatment.
Questions about varicose vein treatments
How long do the procedures take?
Either procedure takes approximately 45-60 minutes.
Do the procedures require any anesthesia?
The closure procedures can be performed under local, regional or general anesthesia.
How quickly after treatment can I return to normal activities?
Patients may resume normal activities immediately. For a few weeks following the treatment, your doctor may recommend a walking regimen and suggest you refrain from very strenuous activities or prolonged periods of standing.
How soon will symptoms improve?
Most patients report noticeable improvement in their symptoms within one to two weeks following the procedure.
Is there any scarring with either procedure?
Patients report minimal to no scarring, bruising or swelling following the procedures.
What happens to the vein left behind in the leg?
Over time, the vein will gradually become incorporated into surrounding tissue.
Are the closure treatments covered by my insurance?
Most insurance companies determine coverage for all treatments, including the closure procedure, based on medical necessity. Your physician can discuss your insurance coverage further at the time of your consultation.
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